Meeker, Squire – Died 1899

MEEKER, FARRIS

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 9/6/2020 at 09:11:50

Source: Decorah Republican Jan. 26, 1899 P 5 C 3

Passing of a Centenarian.
Waterloo Reporter:— Squire Meeker,
the oldest person in this section of Iowa, died Wednesday night (18th) at the home of his son, John Farris, in Jefferson township, Bremer county. Mr. Meeker has made his home in the Big Woods country for over forty years, and was well known in that section. It is not known exactly how old he is, one authority making his age 101, and from another source it is claimed he was 104.

Source: Decorah Republican Feb. 2, 1899 P 6 C 3

He Lived 106 Years.
Waverly Independent — “Squire” Meeker is dead. He was born in New Jersey in 1793. He lived on this earth 106 years. The last 45 of these years he lived in Jefferson township, Bremer county, Iowa, where he died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. J. W. Farris, Jan. 18, 1899. The funeral was from the house Saturday, burial in Jefferson cemetery. Squire Meeker’s oldest son, Melvin Meeker died last spring, aged 78 years. The old settlers in Jefferson tell some interesting yarns about Squire Meeker. One of these stories is that in the early history of the county he was very handy with the cradle, that he could cradle as much grain in a day as four good men could bind in a day, his championship as a cradler was never disputed.

Transcriber’s Note: Find a Grave disputes the above age and shows someone did extensive research into this. It shows he was born in 1806 and is buried in Messinger Cemetery.